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In September, I got married. and it was the most incredible day ever. I have a lot to say about it but I’m waiting until I have one more piece… our wedding video. As a blogger and someone interested in recording our lives in some digital form, a journal of sorts – this blog… {possibly a new domain / name some day as I transition into being on a team}… I’m basically bursting @ the seams to blog about all the details and share it in the webspace for friends & family to experience. Some things just are worth the wait, you know? xx

In the meantime, i have a lot on my mind. And it basically has to do with what our time here on earth is made of. Deep, I know, but get to it… and this is my blog. A bit before we went to Hawaii (next post!), I’d been doing a lot of soul-searching. Life is so incredibly short… what do I want to make up my time while I’m here?

My now husband (eek!), showed me this video when we were lounging on Maui and I think the world needs to watch it, if they haven’t already. And if you have? Watch it again. And make your loved ones watch it. Put your life into perspective and consider with what you’re spending your 24 hours each day doing.

Um, whoa. I had a small internal panic attack when I watched that. Why didn’t someone show me that in high school? Freshman year?… When we were worried about the most trivial of things, stressed-out and drama-filled with events like Prom (who let me spend so much money on those high school formals?!… easily $5K… cringe).

As an adult, I’m trying to spend a bit of time each day reading sites like Quora or watching TED videos. To keep my brain fresh, keep it thinking. A few days ago, I read a question posted on Quora titled, “How can I thoroughly screw up my life.” Now, that’s a pretty deep inquiry. The answer, linked below, by Raqhav Upmanyu has many thoughts I align with. Especially now, as I’m in this phase of contemplation; wanting to shape my life in a way that brings fulfillment / happiness / experiences.

And I know this is entirely an opinion, so take everything he says with a grain of salt or whatever. But it’s a perspective I somewhat align with. It makes me think hard about what I want to make of my time left. He starts out saying the biggest mistake you can make is becoming a statistic and “settling for being a useless part of the all-singing, all-dancing crap of the world.” Me? I can’t live like that. I can’t be put through the motions and do a 9 to 5 in a cubicle and come out on the other end tired, stressed, lacking sleep, motivation and drive. That is exactly what I would turn into. And it’s not just in the business realm. I found myself watching the Oscars last night. At the end of it, I thought, ‘I just wasted 3 hours on something I don’t have any interest whatsoever in. I hadn’t seen a single movie that was nominated!? Emily, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!” I could have been designing cards for my etsy business, reading the book I can’t seem to get through, laughing & connecting with my beautiful mama, sorting through yet another bin of crap I’ve saved over the years with some thought of needing it in a future time (more on that purging process later).

All in all, I want to get down on paper that today is February 29, 2016, Leap Day, an extra day for free just cause. I’m committing to making whatever mindset I’m chasing a reality. I want to make this life fulfilling and get everything I can out of it. I want to do things I enjoy doing, that bring me happiness and flex my creative muscles. I want to travel as much as possible. I want to experience everything. I want to take chances. I want to love crazily. I don’t want to be stressed. I don’t want to be burnt out. I want to be fresh + real + alive. I want to laugh + be optimistic + positive for 95% of my life. And yes, this a ridiculously lofty, insane goal but why can’t I try to shoot for it? It’s worth it to me to try.

Please don’t take this post as me pointing fingers. This is my online space to speak what’s on my mind; this is what I want to capture. And have my kids read someday. Hopefully they’ll think their mother was the baddest woman that ever lived who strived to make the most of her existence.

If I could pick something, anything, that describes how I’m feeling currently. It would be this canvas bag from @sugarboodesigns

I’m going to give all credit to Carley on this one. She researched and booked the world’s most incredible brunch at Auberge du Soleil in Napa Valley.

Let’s just say, this isn’t your standard 3-Michelin star restaurant. This place is, quite honestly, a friggin’ Swiss Family Robinson-style experience, complete with servers that have timed deliveries and round-table speeches to introduce each individual plate.

Our brunch took place outdoors on the wraparound deck overlooking California’s Napa Valley. I was half expecting to have chimpanzees swing onto our shoulders during the dessert course.

This is one of those, when in Rome, experiences – we all ordered a cocktail and cheers’ed to ending this first couple’s trip with a bang.

Bloody mary’s and mimosas all around! Of course, they were ordered using the table iPad in front of us.

The brunch menu looked a little like this. You choose a drink, a beginning, a sustenance, and a dessert.

By memory, Brett and I shared the half dozen oysters, the cow’s milk burrata with grilled radicchio, a Maine lobster omelet, a Kurobuto pork chop, and two fantastic desserts from this menu.

I know for sure we choose the Chocolate Peanut Butter one, and I couldn’t guess what the second one was. Let’s just say they both rocked our socks off. Finish up with a little cappuccino and we are ready to see that bill, server!

Somewhere along the lines of $700 and vacation, we didn’t care what this meal cost. Once in a lifetime, eating on a beautifully exotic deck overlooking Napa, with some of the best friends life could give us.

We took one more pano picture and all piled into the cars. Windows down, wind whipping our hair all over the place. We took the scenic route home. Along the rolling vineyards of Napa, promising ourselves we’ll be back some day.

We stopped at the nearby grocery store on the way to Oliviera, to pick up dinner supplies (I know, we just had brunch… but we didn’t want to have to drive again once we got home.) We taste-tested some frosting, picked up some grilling materials and a quinoa salad or two – then we headed back.

The rest of our last full day in paradise was spent laughing, listening to music, jumping in the hot tub, grilling and playing Cards Against Humanity.

Without going into the details of our sad goodbyes the next morning, let’s just say this trip was a terrific first couple’s trip – one we won’t soon forget.

Where will the next one take us? Locations we have thrown around : Hawaii, Colorado Backcountry, to the coast of North Carolina…

The world really is our oyster. And traveling in groups allows for a more exotic lodging experience since we’re splitting it 8+ ways…

Thank you for a truly memorable trip : Carley & AJ, Katie & Scott, Molly & Chris, and the best traveler I know and love, Brett

We wake up with barely a hangover. Win! Refuel with a little morning java and enjoy our patio before getting ready for the day and more importantly, before our limo arrives.

Since we already had a mug of coffee down the hatch. We figured it’s time to get the party started.… poppin’ bottles. Before you get worried about our alcohol intake, please remember, the whole point of renting a limo for this trip was the sole fact that we planned to be inebriated. As classy and sophisticated as we could… but definitely not sober.

Our first stop is one that we highly recommend for those visiting the Sonoma area.

St. Francis Winery & Vineyard. We scheduled their Food & Wine Pairing experience for 11am on a Friday afternoon filled with sunshine and cool breezes. This vineyard is built on some beautiful landscape (aren’t they all?) A very popular place for people to get married. Gorgeous mountains in the background.

The pairing took place inside a lovely structure, the doors open to the fresh air outside. There were two tables positioned half-circle style with the seating on the outside of the curves. The wine experts walked through and around as they introduced each pairing.

Each place setting had a leather-bound portfolio with the menu details & a notepad to write tasting notes in. I vaguely remember doodling hilarious stick figure pictures and Bob Marley quotes on mine… at one point during the experience, Brett looks over and exclaims, “My feet feel like cotton!” He is entirely enjoying himself, on top of the dosage of DayQuil (for his head cold) taken 30 minutes prior. It’s amazing what a little vino and a little acetaminophen will do to ignite the senses!

To be honest, I don’t even remember what all we had {so zoom in on this picture & read it!} Nevertheless, it’s true when they say pairing wine with a specific food enhances the flavors, it really works! The whole experience was a delight. Something we would do again in a heart beat.

Back in the limo we go. The next stop, Ledson Winery and Vineyards. Originally, it was being built as a home, with 17 acres of Merlot planted on the grounds. But as the structure was built, and the public became more interested, they ended up turning it into a vineyard and tasting room. (well played Ledson clan!) The structure is built with a French Normady-esque style, 16,000 square feet of woodwork and marble staircases. Never missing the opportunity for a photo op, we enjoyed the front garden area with beautiful white roses and fountains.

Their tasting room had wood floors and a beautiful bar area. We sidled up and started to learn about their vines. Little breadsticks were my saving grace as we sipped and sipped some more.

After the tasting, we bought a bottle and went out back on their patio. Some of us took naps in the sun : star-fished on the ground & loving life {cough, Carley}. We toasted to friendship & love, as we looked at the rows of vines grown there. What a neat place to have a summer party or a murder mystery dinner!

A pretty spectacular roundup of the troops and we’re onto the next one! Benziger Family Winery for the win! This next one is a little blurry for me. Understandably so; three vineyards in and I’m reaching my limits.

We made a pit stop potty break upon arrival (extremely necessary says the girl with the squirrel-sized bladder). Then we hop on an extended golf cart for a tour of the vineyards. Our tour guide explained the wine-making process at their location and the background story of the family that built Benziger into what it is today.

I’ll be honest, a lot of what he said went in one ear and out the other. We stopped along the tour at a little wooden hut and cracked open a white bottle of wine. He served it to us in logo-etched wine glasses – nice touch.

Cool little place. Gorgeous farm animals to fertilize the soil. Fluffy, mop-headed cows and little baby goats. Ten points to Gryffindor for the golf cart ride, as I was not about hiking all over those poo-filled rows of vines.

The middle of the tour took us into the wine caves where, guess what we did?… had some more vino. It’s a lot of traveling small distances and then drinking wine. Rinse & repeat.

There was a really neat room deep into the cave that we all grabbed a spot at. It felt very Knights of the Roundtable-esque, with tapestries hanging on the wall and unique art pieces.

In the wine cave, I got in trouble for trying to snag some more breadsticks, but, please, this was a girl looking after herself! Atleast some part of my mind knew I needed water and food. Stat.

We circled around the vineyards on the golf carf and finished the tour in their Main Bar / Tasting Room. I couldn’t tell you what took place in that space. The next thing I remember is getting into the limo and somehow making it home in one piece.

Now, THAT was a tour of Sonoma.

Dinner plans were supposed to involve a bacon-infused local hotspot called Zazu, but we couldn’t make it happen. We grabbed a variety of chicken breasts and brats at the grocery store to grill-out instead. And it rocked our socks off.

We wake up and the boys cook some eggs. A nest egg, as Brett calls them.

We giggle and catch up on the deck. Overlooking the mountain and unreal landscape. All of a sudden, the limo is on it’s way and we are rushing to pull ourselves together.

The limo pulled into the gravel driveway and the driver hops out to introduce himself. He opens the back door and we all pile in. Champagne, soda, water… there were glass champagne glasses and bottle openers. Living the life!

On our way to the first vineyard, our driver recommends we pull into a Whole Foods-like grocery store and pick up some lunch, since we were headed a little into the countryside and wouldn’t have many options. We all hop out, grab sandwiches, pasta salads, hummus, and in Brett’s case, head cold materials.

Our first vineyard stop was Ferrari-Carrano. This place looked like it was fresh out of Alice in Wonderland. The grounds were landscaped to perfection. Freshly-cut grass, sculptures, fountains, and beautiful vineyards as far as the eye could see. The building itself was a marble, cream-colored structure with ornate railings and large windows. The tasting was held in the basement, a spot called the Prevail Room.

Our directions were to choose 4 or 6 different wines on a small paper menu. The wines were poured and the 8 of us sat at a large table underneath beautiful black, exotic lighting fixtures. Downstairs is where the large room of wine barrels are located as well.

After Ferrari-Carano, we hop back in the limo and head towards Bella Vineyard & Wine Cave. Both Katie and I had great reviews from friends about this vineyard and really wanted to make it work. We pulled into Bella and the limo driver popped the trunk. In the back he had flatware and every other material needed for a picnic. Cool! He spread out a tablecloth and we all munched on the grocery store grub. It was nice (& necessary!) to get something in our stomach.

A dog that lives on the grounds begged for food : made the experience that much more welcoming. AJ gathered wine glasses so we could have some vino while lunching.

After eats, we walked into this cave-style area that was nestled underneath a hill. Towards the back it was dark and cold, but lively and filled with people tasting wine around a little bar area. We grabbed a small table and tasted our way through the menu. This was a really cool little place with lots of personal touches. I could picture a gorgeous wedding reception being held on the grounds.

We all hopped back in the limo and headed back towards Oliviera. Some of us weren’t feeling too hot and took a cat nap while the vineyards rolled by the windows. Brett got a head cold and was desperately trying to sleep it off (or was it too much Zin?)

Back in Glen Ellen, we lounged and rehydrated. The boys jumped in the hot tub and the ladies mixed some drinks. Towards the evening time, we dressed up and headed towards The Girl and the Fig. A small, local restaurant with high ratings. I was impressed that they were so conscious of wasted water & drought in the area. Fresh olives (pitted & non) were waiting as a starter, yay! We dined on Fig and Arugula Salad, a Cucumber Soup, Burgers and Pork Chops. The food was delicious (& expensive!), but worth the splurge.

I cannot remember what was so funny, but Carley almost giggle / choked to death. Luckily, nurse AJ was seated next to her.

We headed back towards Oliviera, in a food coma. Driving up the dark, steep, winding mountain towards home. We gathered enough energy to play a hilarious game of Cards Against Humanity before turning in for the night.

Our last morning in Vancouver! We showered and scrambled to get all of our clothes into our suitcases. All that Lululemon took up some extra space we weren’t expecting. Some Sitting on the Lid to Zip took place. Finally, we were off. Wheeling our heavy rollers down the streets of Vancouver once more. It’s nice the train station wasn’t more than a quarter mile from home base.

We boarded and snuggled into our seats. Part of the trip was giggling, the other part was playing our card game. It felt like Harry Potter… the train taking us through the green forests of Canada thru the US border. I hope’d there’d be a candy cart like in the movie series… but no luck. We found our way to the food car and grabbed breakfast : bagels and coffee

For whatever reason, I didn’t take a ton of pictures on the train. I did however, capture a First World Problem moment when Carla got a phone call from Bloomingdale’s requesting a payment for her La Mer bill. (love you!)

I didn’t take pics when we arrived in Seattle because I was too busy hugging my best girlfriends. We departed the train and those with flights leaving caught the tram from downtown Seattle to Sea-Tac International Airport. Kates and I had the latest flights out so we spent the afternoon downtown.

First things first, I must explain that we had quite a bit of booze leftover from the weekend. In fact, peek at Kate’s bag… a little grab bag of everything… ergo, when in Rome.

We had sparkling water to mix and decided to make a few roadies. Don’t mind the fact that I did it behind closed doors. In the handicapped bathroom stall. At the train station. #winning

Downtown Seattle was bustling with activity. We had a taste testing (i.e. hydrating) stop at DRY Soda whose headquarters are in Seattle.

There had been a shooting a couple hours early – in typical Em & Kate fashion, we gawked and tried to get murder-scene photos. This was about as good as it got – I wonder if Time Magazine would want to purchase it… after all, there is an iconic Starbucks logo in view.

We found a tiny paper store on a corner called de Medici Ming – french for who knows what.

We weren’t supposed to take pictures, but of course I took one. A wall of wrapping paper, unique cards… we both got a journal and chatted with the little old lady who hand wrote our receipts.

We watched some music acts at Pike’s Place and sent a SnapChat to the ladies at the airport. Filling them in on our adventures thus far.

We grabbed sandwiches and seaweed wrapped rice rolls from Michou before we headed back in the direction of the tram.

One more selife to complete the adventure. The last two standing. Waiting on the tram platform to take us to SeaTac.

I’m going to miss Vancouver, Seattle, and all of the adventures we had. Each girl’s trip weekend brings new conversation, memory making, and new culinary discoveries. I’ll miss observing the mess that is E Hastings Street from a somewhat-safe distance. Observing the chaos life brings when you dabble in heavy drug use. This is as close as I will ever get to a drug overdose or anything even remotely along those lines.

I’m going to miss getting coffee-to-go and dancing in the streets. Giggling and taking the sights in. Dayshopping in Gastown and sampling pastries at Nelson the Seagull. Dining at The Lamplighter and watching coked-out Canadians holler inappropriate commentary at the top of their lungs only semi-fearing for our lives.

We slept in as long as we could before we had to get rolling. Carley was the first flight out and we wanted to catch breakfast at Arcadia Farms first. This sweet cafe is right out of Little House on the Prairie. Wood floor, red doors, cute art on the wall. It felt like going to a grandma’s house who knew how to interior decorate properly.

In typical best friend’s fashion, we each ordered a Kir Royal to toast our remarkably great weekend. While we recapped and perused the menu, our waitress dropped off a small plate of mini scones to nibble on.

This was one of those spots where anything you ordered off the menu would be amazing. I debated between the Fresh Berry Crepes and the Breakfast Panini. The panini won: scrambled egg with rosemary ham and smoked mozzarella on a baguette.

Next, we had to hustle to make Carley’s departure time… never a dull moment! Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is a city in itself, tons of terminals, north side, south side, ramps and overpasses. Katie is a ninja navigating that space!

After dropping Carley off, we decided against our better judgment to a little hiking on Camelback Mountain in the 115 degree heat. Plenty of water, working cell phones, crazy sports bra straps and sunglasses – we set off. It got hotter and hotter as we climbed and pretty soon we made the executive decision that we were sweating faster than we could replenish with water, and that a descent was the best option.

The rest of my afternoon, I dipped in the pool and packed up all of my things. We stopped off at Sprinkles to pick up some goodies for the folks at home and I found my way to my gate.

More than one time this weekend – Carley and I promised we would be back again next year for another long weekend in the hot box. There’s nothing like 4 days with your best friends to really refocus on what’s important in life. Friendships, memories, laughter, and not taking ourselves too seriously.

I enjoy advertising and graphic design in magazines where the product is set on a solid surface, sometimes a wood floor, and shot from above. Here are some of my favorite things. Candles (self-proclaimed pyro), the book I just finished “Girls in White Dresses“, brilliant brunette satin shine, eos lip chap, and Trader Joe’s Vanilla Almond Milk.

After the cleanse, I wanted to treat myself. Kinda like when people reach certain weight loss goals, they’ll buy a new pair of shoes, a nice bottle of wine, or something rewarding to them. This wasn’t a weight loss goal but a 5-day cleanse was trying and at times, frustrating. So… I decided to splurge on a few pieces of Lulu. Ladies beware, it’s dangerous in there! The colors of the season are bangin’ hot.

In February, my doll face lady from Scottsdale came home for a week. Met this chick in 3rd grade and we’ve been best friends ever since. The majority of the week was spent gossiping, hitting the gym, and drinking. Who are we kidding? I can make a mean St Germain Cocktail and she can spot the perfect bottle of Riesling from a mile away. #greatminds

This lion cub-looking puppy melts my heart. He makes me want to find a way to keep puppies small. Forever and always. I like big dogs, too, but there’s something about little puppies that can instantly change your mood. The next breed I’d like to own is either a Corgi or a Great Bernese Mountain Dog. A little and a big.

I don’t consider myself a brand whore. In fact, I prefer the term brand loyal. There are a few with which I happily associate myself and highly recommend. This snapshot showcases four of them (artistic, no?). The car I drive right now is a Lexus. I’m thisclose to having it paid off. This model is one I saw on the freeway and secretly told myself I’d tote around my four kids in it one day… got the car, time to work on step two. The thumb holes on my Lululemon tops are reason alone to fall in love with the Vancouver-based retailer. No more sleeves rolling up into your jacket! Bazinga! Gorgeous, comfy clothing, totally unaffordable, but that’s what wish lists are for, right? I prefer regular water, by the gallon, I’m a water girl at heart. As long as it doesn’t taste like plastic, and doesn’t carry a strain of motezumas revenge (worst Mexico trip ever!)… I’ll guzzle it. After a good workout, I prefer Zico coconut water. After weightlifting, when my arms are like jelly worms, I pretend I spent all morning on a deserted island, hacking away at a palm tree to reach some of this glory. Last, but not least, a year ago we discovered a new shop called Superdry. I figured it was a high end, boutique fabric softener store – boy was I wrong. Behold some of the best jackets known to man. Superdry is a company based in Japan that knows the value of a zipper (or ten). This jacket (also with thumb holes I might add) retails for $140, it’s called the polar windcheater and worth every penny.

This tall, beautiful brunette is a breath of fresh air. I consider her one of my best friends and had to visit her while vacationing in her zip code. I made a reservation under a fake name (Debra Morgan, holla Dexter freaks!) and surprised her at the swanky salon where she works. It only took me 2 hours of public transportation bus riding and a mile walk to get there, but well worth the effort! Those annual girls trips I take? She’s one of the six ladies, and I would not be as far along in my life as I am without her straight talk, cuddles and infectious laugh. Mwah Carla!

Made a visit to Universal Studios. The best part? The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The cobblestone, Butterbeer [a nonalcoholic butterscotch and root beer flavored frothy drink that tastes spectacular with smuggled in whiskey], everything! There’s even a wand shop where you can buy a phoenix-feather wand. Whoever thru this place together paid unbelievable attention to detail – I swear the air even smelled like freakin Hogwarts!

There’s a franchise in Florida that must make its way to the Midwest. Lime Fresh Mexican Grill has this magical salsa bar that is entirely glorious. Whoever thought to offer serve yourself pineapple salsa deserves a raise. Or an orgasm. I literally ate three cups of pineapple salsa in record time. Inhaled it.

I wasn’t prepared for the random week that I’ve had. But I’m healthy and happy and I won’t complain.

A friend of mine told me about this company she has a subscription with, called IPSY. Ten bucks a month gets you a little makeup bag of different products and brands to try. Now, if you know me, you’ll know I’m not a very high maintenance girl. Give me a hair binder, a lip chap (or six), some Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship Shampoo, and I can conquer the world. But, I decided to expand my horizons and try some different products on the market. Maybe I’ll find some I like. Yesterday I got my January bag. Inside was, Pacifica Tuscan Blood Orange Body Butter (so luxuriously smooth!), bigsexyhair spray & play volumizing hairspray (va-voom!), nailtini nail polish in bloody mary (holy red!), Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil (makes my hair shiny like diamonds!) and a SOHO eyeliner brush.

I’m about to broaden my horizons in the realm of cosmetics. And if I don’t like something, well… that’s what best friends are for right?

After many long months of waiting… one of my Kickstarter rewards has arrived! Jake Parker is a phenomenal artist. His goal was to design and publish a book with the help of crowd funding. Behold, the hard cover that I’m so excited to flip through. He did a great job and it’s super exiting to see a project that you’ve backed, sitting right in front of you! Check out more of his work on his website. I heard his original intent was to his stories bound in a book for his kids to read… adorable.

The crazier part of the last few days is that I had jury duty this week. For real. It was very, VERY anticlimactic. I sat in one room for 8 hours at a time – and read a seriously funny book that I highly recommend. So wait, I got paid to read a book? Well, yes, work pays me to go to jury duty… and there is compensation from the county for my “duty”, to the tune of about $10 each day… hardly covers parking downtown.

Isn’t there a better system for this? Instead of 80 people sitting, waiting, in silence, to be called (and only about 15 did), couldn’t we be on-call? And if you need someone, then I will leave what I’m doing and go to the courthouse? It seemed like a lot of man hours gone to waste. Let’s hope I never have to do that again. And if I do get summoned, I’m crossing my fingers I get chosen for a super high-profile murder trial and then sequestered. I would love a series of free nights stay at a swanky hotel downtown and fresh grilled salmon each night. A queen sized bed all to myself with sheets of egyptian cotton? Room service? Hot showers that can last for twenty minutes? Sign me up! k thanks bye!

Hello life! What a great week I’ve been having. This could possibly be the best week I’ve had in months. In fact, I think it is. The sun is shining, I have butterflies in my stomach, and you literally cannot wipe the smile off my face. My room is clean, my finances are in order, I’m running farther, faster, better. A few days ago, a handful of family members and I signed up for the Get Lucky 7K that falls on St. Patrick’s Day. It’s put on by Team Ortho and I have to say, so far they have got their sh*t together. The packet pickup was flawless. The sweatshirt zip-up is super comfy and well designed. The end-of-the-race medal looks awesome and there are free drinks at Kieran’s Pub afterwards. I’m contemplating doing the SeaWheeze Half Marathon again in August (Vancouver, BC) – but haven’t quite decided and registration isn’t open yet. I’m enjoying running for the sake of running. The health benefits, the leg muscles… signing up for too many races makes me nervous. Maybe I’m raced out? We’ll see. First race registered for the 2013 season, complete!

I finished Bad Things Happen (don’t recommend it!) and I have started reading The Council of Dads (holy crap it’s good!). I’m shooting to read at least a book a month – falling back into this favorite past time of losing myself in a story.

The self-help book that I have been reading on and off spoke to a funny concept. The author talks about finishing difficult tasks that she has procrastinated completing. A way to slow down and power thru them was to “put yourself in jail”. “I’m in jail”, she would tell herself, “I’m locked up with nowhere to go and nothing to do except the task in front of me. It doesn’t matter how long it takes, I have all the time I could possibly need.” It is a little mindset to put yourself in. I love it. I sometimes do the same trick. Time eventually catches up to me – but it works for a little while!

There is a challenge I’ve undertaken recently, I’ll blog about it soon once it gets underway. A chance to travel the world for… nothing. Well, almost nothing. There are systems and rewards tiers in place that have yet to be tapped! I’m educating myself as we speak – stay tuned. Maybe I can get you interested, too. Spending a week in the Bora Bora water-bungalows anyone?

All I know is living optimistically is the way to go. A deep breath, a sense of self-worth and confidence… knowing that if you keep your face always toward the sunshine, the shadows will fall behind you.

In Vancouver, over the SeaWheeze weekend. There was a day I never got around to posting about. Chicago came and all of a sudden Ireland and here I am at home base with a small bit of free time to explain.

On our last free day in ‘Couv, we took a bus to the edge of the city. We took a ferry to the other side. And another bus to Lynn Canyon. A short but dangerously full suspension bridge led us to the canyon. As you can see, when we want to get somewhere, we get there.

Here are tons of hiking trails. Large trees and vines everywhere. We hiked along until we found an opening that led us down to a creek. A huge creek. Fresh water running like a bubbling brook. A large, powerful one. Washing over the smoothest, biggest rocks you’ve ever laid eyes on.

It was here that we stripped down to our swimsuits and worshipped the sun for the afternoon. There were very few other people… we just about had the place to ourselves. A little further down were 20 foot cliffs and waterfalls that daredevils were jumping off of. It felt like our own little slice of heaven. People packed picnics, read books, smoked a little dro. It felt straight out of The Beach and we spent many hours there. Who knows how long, time seemed to stand still. It didn’t matter. I could have stayed the rest of forever.

For some reason this spot meant so much to me. It felt so, pure. As silly as that sounds. All we needed was a swimsuit and a bottle of water.

The brook flowing over the rocks was absolutely freezing. We dared each other to dunk all the way underwater. I have never felt more refreshed, or alive in my life. You know that spot you go to when you close your eyes and daydream? This one is mine.
The other day, I got an email from Canvas on Demand about a special they were having. Order a canvas of any Instagram pic and it is 50% off.